Shout out for the 5th Iowa Writers & Songwriters Retreat in Okoboji!
And to Julie Gammack for her leadership in creating & sustaining this event
NOTE: This update fixed issues with some embedded links at the bottom of this post.
As a newbie at this year’s event, I did not know what to expect. I was joyously surprised! The 2.5 day program is held at the beautiful lakeside and wooded surroundings of the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory in Wahpeton, IA - adjacent to Okoboji. The program offers a wide range of sessions led by veterans in the fields of opinion and commentary, play-writing, poetry, memoir writing, documentary film-making, joke writing, screen-writing, play-writing, song-writing, and podcasting. It also offers an unmatched opportunity to learn from and socialize with others who share your interests.
Participants traveled to the retreat from throughout Iowa and many other states. They came with a wide range of experience. Some had no experience writing, while others had more than 30 years experience.
The sessions provided basic and advanced information and advice and always allowed time for questions and discussion. The speakers also inspired participants to just do it. Just write. Your voice will be important to others who share your interests. If you are interested in writing, regardless of your experience as a writer, you should seriously consider attending the 2026 retreat.
Since my interests are in the realm of political and legal affairs, I attended multiple exceptional sessions on investigative reporting and political commentary. The speakers and panelists included some of my favorite writers on Substack:
Rekha Basu - DM Register columnist for 30+ years; she currently publishes her essays on Substack: Rehka’s Shouts and Whispers.
Art Cullen - Pulitzer Prize winning editor of the Storm Lake Times Pilot; he publishes a weekly essay on Substack under “Art Cullen’s Notebook.”
Robert Leonard - A long-time writer and radio broadcaster, who publishes essays on his Substack titled, Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture.
Douglas Burns - 4th generation owner, editor, reporter, and columnist for the Iowa Mercury in Carroll, IA. He posts articles and commentary on Substack under: “Douglas Burns: The Iowa Mercury.”
Todd Dorman - He has been a columnist and editor of the editorial page at the Cedar Rapids Gazette since 2007, after spending a decade covering the Iowa legislature. See his Substack posts at: “24-hour Dorman.” [Gotta love the Sustack title!]
Laura Belin - She has been covering Iowa politics for The Bleeding Heartland since 2007. She also has a graduate degree in Russian Studies. You can find her Substack posts at: “Iowa Politics with Laura Belin.”
Best of all, I had the opportunity to spend some time outside of the scheduled sessions to chat with and get to know some of these great Iowa writers. I strongly urge you to click on the links to their Substack titles (above) and subscribe to all of them on Substack. You can always choose a free subscription.
Some of the other highlights of the retreat included:
Meeting former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack.
Seeing the charming, touching, and interesting documentary film, PIEOWA, by retreat attendee Beth Howard, who stayed for an interesting Q&A session afterwards.
Having an opportunity to meet and chat with attendees from across the U.S., including folks from California, (war-torn) Portland, OR, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, and Virginia - in addition to Iowa.
Enjoying the music from numerous wonderful Iowa singer-songwriters, and poetry from some exceptionally talented Iowa poets.
Enjoying a sunset cruise on West Okoboji Lake on a gorgeous fall evening.
Finally, enormous credit must go to Julie Gammack, a former writer for the Des Moines Register and Iowa Capitol Dispatch. Julie is the stalwart creator, organizer, promoter, and manager of the Iowa Writers and Songwriters Retreat, which has become a landmark Iowa event. She also created, manages, and promotes the Iowa Writers Collaborative on Substack, which includes at least 80 Iowa writers. Julie is an Energizer Bunny in developing and promoting Iowa writers of all kinds. Thank you, Julie!
A few pictures from the 2025 Iowa Writers & Songwriters Retreat in Okoboji
Thanks for reading “So it Goes…by J. Goerdt.
Before you go, here are a few of the COMMENTS I’ve received from some of my subscribers on my previous Substack posts over the past few months:
“Once again, you have written an outstanding piece of work on our dictator in office. I wish everyone in our country and the world would read your excellent work!” (TX reader, post on 8.15.25 RE: Trump & the 7 Deadly Sins)
“What an excellent written and referenced piece. Great job… Thank you! (IA reader, post on 9.17.25, RE: Charlie Kirk’s Assassination)
“Very informative and balanced presentation of the factual history regarding this conflict [in Gaza]. Well done.” (NC reader, post on 8.11.25, RE: Stop Funding Israel’s War in Gaza)
“Excellent, exhaustive research and great points, John.” (IA reader, 8.18.25, RE: Trump & the 7 Deadly Sins)
“I have read a lot of articles on the Epstein saga, and yours may be the most thorough! Thank you for not letting the public ‘Fagetaboutit!’” (VA reader, 7.19.25). Note: the title of my post was: “Epstein, Schmepstein! Fagetaboutit!”
“ This is a really good synopsis of the Epstein/Trump affair. Well done.” (IA reader, 7.20.25, RE: The Epstein Files)
“He [Bill Moyers] was a touchstone for quality journalism, guided by a strong and unwavering moral compass. He will be deeply missed. Thanks for shining a light on his life.” (NC reader, 7.3.25, RE: Bill Moyer’s Life)
Do you happen to know...is Robert Leonard the son of Bill Leonard of DSMR fame?